Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce

The Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce calls it the “business social event of the year.”

The organization’s annual dinner is Thursday, Nov. 5 at Dearborn Country Club and will celebrate a successful year for the organization and recognize business accomplishments.  The Chamber invites members and others in the community to be on hand to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and join in saluting this year’s honorees:

Business of the Year – Whisky’s and owner Jim Schwier.  The restaurant, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has become a Lawrenceburg landmark and institution as its good food and inviting environment have provided the setting for family dinners, business lunches and special occasions for virtually everyone in the community.

Community Service Award – McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral and owner Mike McCabe will be honored with this new award recognizing the company’s strong commitment to the community through involvement in various special events and beautification programs.

Chairman’s Award – Stedman Machine Company; Dennis Gilmour, president, and Larry Giffin, former president.  Stedman, celebrating its 175th anniversary this year,  manufactures and designs size-reduction equipment for the aggregate, chemical, fertilizer, brick & clay, and recycling industries.

Chairman’s Award – PDS Biotechnology; Frank K. Bedu-Addo and Greg L. Conn.  A startup at the University of Cincinnati’s biotech incubator, the company secured a $2 million grant from Indiana’s 21st Century Fund and relocated to Lawrenceburg earlier this year.  PDS is a biopharmaceutical company applying the company’s platform Versamune™ nanotechnology to a new class of safe, simple, potent and targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.  The company expects to expand over the next four to eight years and employ over 100.

“The Chamber is really pleased with this year’s outstanding lineup of honorees,” said Chamber President Michael Rozow.  “Whisky’s milestone anniversary is a great example of commitment to starting a business, doing things the right way, and succeeding in a tough industry.  McCabe’s involvement in so many local activities makes the company a perfect choice for our new community recognition honor.  And Stedman Machine and PDS Biotechnology are an interesting twosome.  We think of Stedman as a traditional manufacturer, but 175 years ago they were the kind of cutting edge business that PDS is today.”  

The evening will begin with a reception starting at 6:00 p.m.  Dinner is at 7:15 p.m. and the program and awards ceremonies follow.  Chamber board member Marty Pieratt will serve as master of ceremonies.

A silent auction will continue throughout the evening.  Chamber members wanting to get exposure for their businesses can still donate an item … call the Chamber at 812/537-0814.

First Financial Bank  is the presenting sponsor of this year’s dinner.  Cost to attend the dinner is $45 per person.  To make reservations, call the Chamber (812/537-0814) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .